Past Events

The RRGCC would like to extend a special thank you to Jack Dickey and Mike Driskell. Jack organized a trail day on the PMRP. He and his crew of volunteers re-installed the bridge to gallery and created a new path trough the marsh and also terraced the base of The Gallery (right hand side). They built a nice set of steps added to beginning of trail to left field and water bars to that trail. They also created a new bridge created to What About Bob Wall.

Also, Driskell Home Repair sponsored a trail day at Roadside Crag. They were able to remove downed trees that had fallen during the winter ice storm. They also relocated the start of the trail, widened the start, added water bars to the trail and built a set of stairs.

[reg-invite-table]Every year for the past eight years, climbers have come from as far as Australia, Poland, and the backwoods of your hometown just to partake in the fall festivities. With headlining events like Reel Rock Tour, Mountain Gear sponsored clinics, Black Diamond Gear Auctions, and our always stellar music line-up (The 23 Strings, The Slant Kings), it’s easily the best thing happening on the East Coast.

Besides getting lower prices for registering online and guaranteeing a spot for the events, the first 200 registrants get a bag full of schwag.. so don’t wait! And after registering, invite friends using your invite code to get even more schwag.. better hurry, though, you’ve got some catching up to do.

We had a great turnout for this year’s Johnny and Alex Trail Day. No official head count, but we are guesstimating there were about 65 people out doing hard labor this year. The amount of work and the quality of that work is truly remarkable!

More than 65 people joined the RRGCC to celebrate and work on the fifth annual JATD. Photo: Wes Allen

Major work was accomplished at the popular crag known as The Shire where two existing trails were closed and replaced with a new trail that also reroutes access to the popular 5.11 “Amarillo Sunset”. The base of this crag was also shored up with landscaping timbers and logs. A new trail was built to the North 40 crag. Climbers wanting to go from The Shire to North 40 are asked to go back down to the main trail instead of shortcutting across the drainage. A new trail was also built at Drive-by crag that replaces the old steep stairs from the road. Finally, a mountain biking loop was completed from the Sore Heel Parking lot that provides another form of human powered recreation on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve.
We want to thank everyone who came out and made this happen, as well as our generous sponsors!

This event occurred April 18-20, 2008 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

The RRGCC’s Red River Reunion 2008 event will be held on April 18th & 19th, 2008 to celebrate the coming of spring and the return of climbers to Red River Gorge, Kentucky for the 2008 climbing season. Friday evening April 18th, Brian Solano will be showing his latest film, Spray at Miguel’s (check the trailer and more information at spraymovie.com. During the day on Saturday, April 19th, there will be two competitions: an outdoor climbing competition at Torrent Falls (open for competition participants only) and a trash scavenging competition in Red River Gorge, supported by the Access Fund. The festivities will culminate Saturday night at Miguel’s with a bluegrass band and a multi-media presentation by Jason Kehl from Cryptochild and David Chancellor from SoIll, sponsored by Phillip Galls of Lexington. Winners of the climbing comp will enjoy plenty of schwag and even a little cash in hand. Prizes for the trash comp will be schwag and the privilege to climb at Torrent on Sunday.

We look forward to seeing you there! After all, what could be better: bluegrass music, friends, climbing pics and videos, and a chance to support climbing in the Red!

There will be more to know.. Stay tuned for more details..

If you can’t make it, please consider supporting the RRGCC and the community’s efforts by making a donation. Hope to see you another time..

This event occurred July 26, 2007 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Come one; come all to the 3rd annual John Bronaugh and Alex Yeakley Adopt-A-Crag Day, August 4th and 5th, 2007. Like in years past we will be depending on the Red River Gorge climbing community to come out and take care of the land you own, the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve, in honor of two great men of the Red. We will be building trails, bolting routes and having a kick ass party. This year’s event will be held at the Coal Bank Hollow area. Work will begin at around 9:30 am on Saturday morning and at about 10:30 am on Sunday. People are encouraged to carpool from Lago Linda’s or Miguel’s as there is very limited parking at the Coal Bank area. On Saturday work will end at 5:30 pm and we will shuttle back to Lago Linda’s for a dinner provided by Mark’s Mountain Barbecue along with be free keg beer, live music, tee shirts and free schwag for all that attend. We will also have the slip and slide and volley ball, we just may have to get in a game or two of the infamous bourbon ball. This years’ event will help us with the Kentucky GOLD Recreational Trail Grant we got last year. So bring your tools and bring some friends, we’ve got a lot of dirt to move and payments to make. Pictures from past JACD events can be viewed at: http://www.rrgcc.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1

This event occurred July 26, 2007 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

CLEARFIELD, Utah (May 7th, 2007) – Petzl America, a leading manufacturer of quality
climbing gear, today announced that their annual Roc Trip will join forces with
Rocktoberfest, an annual fundraising event held by the Red River Gorge Climbers
Coalition to preserve climbing access in Eastern Kentucky. This year, Petzl Roc Trip
will present Rocktoberfest, to be held October 12
th– 14th, 2007, drawing an international crowd of climbers gathering for a weekend of clinics, competitions, and celebration, while
raising awareness and funds for the RRGCC. By combining the two events, Petzl hopes
to help increase Rocktoberfest’s stature, attendance, and fundraising power in 2007 and
for years to come.

“Twenty-five percent of the climbing in the Red is on land that the RRGCC is working
hard to protect,” said John Evans, Marketing Director for Petzl America. “Bringing Petzl
Roc Trip to Rocktoberfest is a perfect way to support the RRGCC and help keep this
land from being industrialized by big-oil.”

The Red River Gorge Climber’s Coalition is a unified group of climbers advocating (Petzl Roc Trip 2007 joins forces with Rocktoberfest, page two)
responsible climbing and preserving access to climbing in the Gorge and surrounding
areas. Each year, the RRGCC pays an annual mortgage payment totaling nearly
$29,000 for ownership of the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve, a 750-acre
plot of undeveloped land purchased by
the RRGCC for preservation and climbing access purposes in 2004. Due to the
RRGCC’s efforts and funding, the Pendergrass-Murray Preserve is currently being
responsibly and sustainably developed for hiking, mountain biking, and many forms of
human-powered recreation. Without funding for the annual mortgage payments due
through year 2013, the Preserve faces potential acquisition by interested oil developers.
The Pendergrass-Murray Preserve is just one of the RRGCC’s conservation and access
projects.

“Petzl is thinking of every way possible to help us pay off the mortgage and protect The
Pendergrass Murray Preserve,” said Morgain Sprague, Board Member and Fundraising
Coordinator for the RRGCC. “Beyond that, the Preserve and the Red River Gorge are
both located in Lee County, one of the most impoverished counties in the US, and
climbing is an important source of commerce and revenue. To have Petzl Roc Trip
coming here, drawing an international crowd and showcasing our crags to the global
climbing community is really exciting, both in raising awareness for the Preserve and in
raising awareness for the Red as a world-class climbing destination”.

Petzl Roc Trip, now in its sixth year, has proven successful in bringing the international
climbing community together in celebration of the sport, from New York’s Shawangunks
and British Columbia’s Squamish to Kalymnos, Greece, and Millau in the south of
France. Open to climbers of all ability levels, the upcoming 2007 Petzl Roc Trip /
Rocktoberfest features an action-packed line-up, including:

clinics for all levels with climbing’s elite, including Sonnie Trotter, and AMGA
professionals

An overall goal of raising $10,000 – $15,000 for the Red River Gorge Climber’s
Coalition, a healthy increase over previous years

“Petzl’s interest in bringing Roc Trip and some of the sport’s best athletes to our corner
of the world for regional benefit is truly an example of this industry as a community,” said
Bentley Brackett, Director of Corporate Fundraising for the RRGCC. “Petzl is setting the
stage for an unprecedented Rocktoberfest, and we’ll be welcoming the rest of the
climbing and outdoor community to join us in what is sure to be a great time for a great
cause”.

About the RRGCC
The Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition Incorporated (RRGCC) is a group of rock
climbers who have come together to protect, promote and ensure responsible climbing
at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. The RRGCC is committed to preserving and appreciating the natural environment in which we practice our sport, as well as
education, support, and dedicated efforts with one another, non-climbers, and land
managers alike. For more information about the RRGCC, visit www.rrgcc.org.

About Petzl

Petzl America is the U.S. division of Petzl, headquartered in France. For over 50 years,
Petzl has been developing innovative tools and techniques used by those entering the
vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration,
rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing and alpinism. Petzl
climbing hardware and headlamps can be found in outdoor specialty shops and premium
sporting goods retailers around the world. For more information, log on to
www.petzl.com or DL this PDF

This event occurred October 31, 2006 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Rocktoberfest 2006 was a resounding success despite the frigid temps. With over 300 attendees, five stellar clinics, Reelrock movie premier, Jason Kehl’s slideshow, entertaining dyno comp, terrific bluegrass band, tasty food and even a surprise appearance by a fabulous fire juggler, a good time was had by all. Special thanks to our incredible volunteers and sponsors for making our event one of the most successful to date!<br><br>

Friday night began at Miguel’s Pizza with the Reelrock movie premier of First Ascent and Dosage IV. Climbers walked behind Miguel’s pizza to the glow of a cozy field lit by numerous tiki torches to sit on hay bales placed in a theater-style arrangement; care of Dario Ventura, Morgan Burton and the Miguel’s crew. Petzl offered Red Bull and Vodka for refreshments and Chris Hampton announced the movie. First Ascent was a huge hit during which the crowd was totally animated. Dosage IV was similarly well-received and ran into the night. Those climbers who were unable to view the video hung out around the fire, which was occasionally visited by Jason Kehl.
Saturday began with outdoor sunrise yoga…somewhat delayed due to heavy frost. Yoga Sanga provided quality instruction to the rising sun. Janet Cain of Hug-a-Pup training shared her knowledge with climbers on how to train their crag dogs. Next year, she wants to come to the crag and work with owners to see how dogs behave in the real climbing world. Arno Ilgner graciously provided his Rockclimbing the Warrior’s Way clinic free of charge and Wes Allen showed aspiring photogs how to snap a captivating picture of climbers. Then Rocktoberfest took a break..sort of.

Saturday night was Mark’s Barbeque and Jason Kehl. Climbers ate dinner then gathered beneath the cliffline to learn about Jason’s adventures and hear of the sad loss of Billy. Jason was gracious and humble happily conversing with climbers all weekend on subjects ranging from rockclimbing to true bourbon…only from Kentucky. His slideshow proved to be one of the most entertaining and innovative presentations climbers have seen.

The dyno comp occurred after the slideshow and had a little bit of everything. Chris Hampton kept up the energy announcing contests, throwing schwag and generally harassing the contestants. Kasia Pietras styled her way to win the women’s dyno. Trevor Sutherland showed much skill reserving his flare for the final dynos in the men’s comp. John Schrader had the best fan club by far! But Nick Redinger was the surprise standout dynoing in his lime green underwear…and being smacked off the top hold by local troll, Matt Massey. All of these antics ensued to the wonderful bluegrass tunes of an outstanding bluegrass band…no name folks, please.

Our greatest surprise was a fire juggler from California. Withstanding thirty degree temps without a shirt and a rather brief heckle, Derek juggled fire batons, balanced them uncomfortably while performing minor contortions and generally amused, awed and stole the closing show.

Sunday morning began with our second round of morning yoga. Rocktoberfest closed with two wonderful clinics. Katie Brown taught a girl’s climbing clinic. Bold women took serious whippers, learned to lead belay and one climber who had never even lead a 5.10 mustered up the courage with the women’s support to lead Bandolier, a breakthrough 5.11. Bart Bledsoe taught an aid climbing clinic showing a group how to place pins to hold weight and quality aid technique with Matt Massey and Blake Bowling’s assistance.

This event occurred October 2006 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Arno Ilger, Craig Luebben, and Elaina Arenz-Smith will be offering 2 trad camps in October. A 4 day program and a 2 day crash course program, both with a small client to guide ratio of 3:1. The camp will focus on each climber individually so you get the most from your time at the Trad Camp. When you leave you’ll climb stronger, smarter, safer, and more efficiently, and you’ll have the skills you need for leading traditional routes.

This event occurred May 26 and 27, 2006 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Click here for the “Homestyle” video trailer. This Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, 27, 28, & 29 @ Miguel’s, the RRGCC will be celebrating the efforts of all supporters and volunteers involved in raising sufficient funds to ensure our ability to make the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve mortgage payment due June 15, 2006. We especially thank Red River Climbing for their monumental fundraising efforts and the Access Fund for their $2,500 grant.

This event occurred May 26 and 27, 2006 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Wes Powell will be coming up and previewing his yet-to-be-released climbing video “Homestyle” at the 2006 Rawkus Rendezvous on Memorial Day Weekend. The video will be shown at Miguel’s Saturday evening May 27, 2006. During the day on Saturday we will be having a trash scavenging contest with the top prize being a gift certificate for a pair of LaSportiva climbing shoes. In the evening on Saturday we will also be having music with techno DJ and climber, DJ Mike. On Sunday May 28, 2006 there will be an outdoor climbing competition held at the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve. The comp will have beginner/intermediate, advanced, elite/open, and master’s categories. In the evening on Sunday the entertainment at Miguel’s will include a pizza eating contest, the original acoustic music of Miguel’s neighbor Neville Pohl, and the acoustic rock music of Matt Martini.

Miguel has also made a commitment of 10% to the RRGCC on all gear sales! Although this does not include apparel, pizza or drinks, if you are looking for a rope or some new shoes get them from Miguel and 10% will go to the RRGCC!